London finance chief sees fewer jobs shifting because of Brexit

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s vast financial services industry will suffer far fewer job losses from Brexit than first feared, the City of London’s policy chief told Reuters, in remarks that will boost supporters of leaving the EU who say the threat has been exaggerated.

Catherine McGuinness, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee of the City of London Corporation, poses for a photograph in London, Britain, January 17, 2018. Picture taken January 17, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Home to the world’s highest number of banks and largest commercial insurance market, the City of London is scrambling to prepare for the loss of easy access to the European trading bloc, its most serious threat since the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

Catherine McGuinness, the political leader of the historic municipal body at the heart of London, said the outlook for the industry had brightened after Britain and the European Union last month agreed to the principle of a transition deal and to talks about future trade relationships.

The industry also feels it is getting more of a hearing from Prime Minister Theresa May’s government.

“The signs are positive, it is clear that the government is not only listening, but has understood our position,” McGuinness said in an interview in a room off the local government’s seat of power in the medieval Guildhall.

“But now we have to persuade the EU27 to strike a deal which works for this sector.”

Financial services, which accounts for about 12 percent of Britain’s economic output, have been viewed as one of the industries that has the most to lose from the end of unfettered access to EU markets.

But Britain has stepped up its defence of its prized industry in the last few weeks with the government and central bank sending out messages that they expect the sector will be able to operate with little disruption after Brexit.

May told bankers last week she will put their industry at the heart of a new trade deal with the EU.

McGuinness also said the Bank of England’s offer to allow European bank branches in London to avoid a costly conversion into subsidiaries last month is an indication Britain will remain open to foreign investment.

The numbers of finance jobs that may be shifted out of Britain or created overseas as a result of Brexit are now likely to be at the lower end of estimates that have ranged broadly between 5,000 to 75,000 jobs or higher, she said.

Mirroring that view, Deutsche Bank said this week it expects to move fewer staff than some senior officials had expected from London to the continent.

Catherine McGuinness, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee of the City of London Corporation, poses for a photograph in London, Britain, January 17, 2018. Picture taken January 17, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

BATTLES TO BE FOUGHT

Christian Noyer, who is leading French efforts to persuade banks to pick Paris as a location after Brexit, also said Britain will remain Europe’s largest financial centre.

“The City will remain very important. I don’t think it should be a nightmare like it sometimes appears to be in some articles,” Noyer told BBC Radio on Thursday.

The future of Britain’s financial services industry is still likely to emerge as one of the main battlegrounds between London and Brussels in divorce talks.

Trade agreements typically cover goods and none has ever included financial services on the scale envisaged by Britain.

During a visit to Britain on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that he would not allow Britain’s financial industry to have privileged access to the EU single market.

But echoing comments from the Bank of England, McGuinness said a deal is “absolutely possible” if there is a will on both sides, given the starting point is full alignment of rules.

“Just because there isn’t a previous model doesn’t mean you couldn’t do it if all parties want to,” she said.

“We will get less than what we have at the moment whatever the settlement, and you can’t see the EU agreeing to anything else.”

The City of London is planning to bolster the size of its operation in Brussels to help pressure EU officials into giving Britain a good trade deal.

“That’s making sure we play our part in making sure Britain has a loud voice when we are outside the room,” she said.

But McGuinness said the full impact of Brexit could take years to emerge.

“There is a real risk that it may be a slow melt that we don’t see,” she said. “Just because you can’t see a massive change suddenly happening you can’t assume everything is okay.”

Catherine McGuinness, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee of the City of London Corporation, poses for a photograph in London, Britain, January 17, 2018. Picture taken January 17, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay